Watch: Lexus Hoverboard In Action

Board’s internals made up of superconducting magnets submersed in liquid nitrogen

Remember the pivotal "Back to the Future II" scene where Marty McFly escapes a group of bullies on a supremely cool Mattel Hover Board? Now, Lexus has fulfilled these dreams of the future with an incredible hoverboard of their own, and released a video of the sci-fi toy in action.

We have previously seen Lexus’ hoverboard in still shots and in a quick video where the board hovers motionless above the ground, but this is the first time we have seen the board in motion, and with a brave rider. In motion, the board may appear to be clever CGI, but in reality, it’s much more complicated and expensive than simple visual tricks. The board’s internals are comprised of superconducting magnets submersed in liquid nitrogen, bringing the temperature down to an extreme -320 fahrenheit. With the magnets supercooled, they “slow down”, and can be positioned in predictable ways, allowing the board to exist in a suspended state above the ground.

Don’t get too excited yet and send Lexus a deposit, as the board is only half of the equation. The board currently only works on Lexus’ specially designed hoverpark, where an extensive amount of magnets lie beneath the surface, effectively restricting the board to special surfaces.

How does it feel to ride? Well, professional skateboarder and hoverboard test rider Ross McGouran claims it’s like nothing he has ever experienced. “I've spent 20 years skateboarding, but without friction it feels like I've had to learn a whole new skill, particularly in the stance and balance in order to ride the hoverboard. It's a whole new experience,” Ross said in a press release.

If you want to see a hoverboard jump over a fast-moving Lexus GS F, check out the video below.